Personal Care Products: Ingredients to Avoid Susan Garramone Sisterra Essential Products at Medfield Green October 15, 2009

The skin absorbs up to 60% of the chemicals it comes in contact with - these chemicals enter the bloodstream and flow through, and some are stored in, our vital organs. Herb Research Foundation

The average woman uses 12 personal care products containing at least 128 chemical ingredients everyday. Men use on average 6 products containing 85 chemical ingredients everyday. We absorb, inhale and ingest many of these chemicals. Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) US analyzed 2983 chemicals used in personal care products. The study demonstrated that: – 884 were toxic – 314 caused biological mutation – 218 caused reproductive complications – 778 caused acute toxicity – 146 caused tumors – 376 caused skin and eye irritations

Personal Care Products: Ingredients to Avoid Phthlates Fragrance Parabens Propylene Glycol (PG) Formaldehyde Hydroquinone Petroleum/Petroleum byproducts Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate Diethanolamine (DEA) Talc 1,4 Dioxane and Lead (References: Dying To Look Good by Christine Farlow D.C. 2001; The Essential Green You by Deidre Imus 2009;Not Just a Pretty Face by Stacy Malkan, 2007; Best In Beauty 2009)

PHTHALATES Ingredient Use: Fragrance and as penetration enhancer Potential Health Risk/Safety Issues: –Xenoestrogen: Endocrine disrupter/estrogen mimicker May cause early puberty in girls May cause impaired testicular function in infant boys –EPA Classifies as possible carcinogen –DTLG Rating: X – Known carcinogen via research Found in: Nail Polish, Perfumes, Deodorants, Skin Creams Hair Sprays, Gels, Mousse and Lotions Labeled as: DIBUTYL PHTHALATE; DIETHYLPHTHALATE, DEP, DEHP, BBP,DBP, DEP

FRAGRANCE Ingredient Use: To add or enhance scent Potential Health Risk/Safety Issues: –Single fragrance may contain 100 different chemicals Many are volatile allergens –May cause dizziness, asthma and skin rashes –May contain petroleum derivatives or parabens –DTLG Rating: CA (C= Caution is advised A= May cause allergic reaction) Found in: Personal care products of all categories Labeled as: FRAGRANCE (FDA allows them to be unlisted as “trade secrets”) or PARFUM

PARABENS Ingredient Use: Preservative Potential Health Risk/Safety Issues: –Xenoestrogen: May alter development in young children –Raise cancer risk –Impairs fertility –Skin irritant –DTLG Rating CA (C= Caution is advised A= May cause allergic reaction) Found in: Moisturizers, Shampoos, Conditioners, Deodorants, Skin Creams, Foundations and Lotions Labeled as: Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Sodium Paraben, Proplyparaben

PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG) Ingredient Use: Controls product melting; Aids skin penetration, Humectant Potential Health Risk/Safety Issues: –Linked to liver and kidney issues –May cause Reproductive damage and cell mutations –Skin and eye irritant –DTLG Rating CA (C= Caution is advised A= May cause allergic reaction) Found in: Second most common ingredient in moisturizers aside from water - also in sunscreen, lotions, antiperspirants, deodorant, soaps Labeled as: 1,2-DIHYDROXYPROPANE; 2-HYDROXYPROPANOL; METHYLETHYL GLYCOL; 1,2-PROPANEDIOL; PROPANE-1,2-DIOL; 1,2- DIHYDROXYPROPANE; 1,2-PROPYLENE GLYCOL; 1,2- PROPYLENGLYKOL (GERMAN) ; ALPHA-PROPYLENEGLYCOL; DOWFROST; METHYLETHYLENE GLYCOL

FORMALDEHYDE Ingredient Use: Preservative Potential Health Risk/Safety Issues: –Linked to cancer –May cause developmental and reproductive damage –May cause asthma –Neurotoxin –DTLG Rating XA ( X= Unsafe or poorly tested A= May cause allergic reaction) –Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) says safe at 0.2% –Banned in Japan and Europe Found in: Nail Polish, Shampoos and Bleach Labeled as: FORMALDEHYDE, FORMALIN, FORMIC ALDEHYDE

HYDROQUINONE Ingredient Use: Skin Bleaching Agent/Lightening Agent Potential Health Risk/Safety Issues: –Linked to cancer –Endocrine disrupter –Toxic if inhaled or ingested –Neurotoxin –DTLG Rating XA (X= Unsafe or poorly tested A= May cause allergic reaction) –Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) says safe at 0.1% but not in “leave on” products –Banned in Europe Found in: Skin lighteners, hair bleach, concealers, face cleansers, sunscreens Labeled as: 1,4-BENZENEDIOL; 1,4-DIHYDROXYBENZENE; P-DIOXYBENZENE; 4- HYDROXYPHENOL; P-HYDROXYPHENOL; 1,4BENZENEDIOL; 1,4-BENZENEDIOL; 1,4- DIHYDROXY-BENZEEN (DUTCH) ; 1,4-DIHYDROXY-BENZOL (GERMAN) ; 1,4- DIHYDROXYBENZEN (CZECH) ; 1,4-DIHYDROXYBENZENE

PETROLEUM / PETROLEUM BYPRODUCTS Ingredient Use: Soften and protect skin, make product smooth and shiny Potential Health Risk/Safety Issues: –Linked to cancer –Causes developmental and reproductive damage –Immune toxicity –Endocrine disruption –Neurotoxin –Allergic reaction –DTLG Rating CA (C= Caution is advised A= May cause allergic reaction) –Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) says safe as used –Banned in Europe unless company demonstrates safety Found in: Moisturizers, Conditioners, Creams, Make-up, Concealer, Mascara Labeled as: PETROLEUM, PETROLATUM, MINERAL OIL, PETROLEUM BYPRODUCTS

SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE / SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE Ingredient Use: Foaming agent, surfactant, emulsifying agent Potential Health Risk/Safety Issues: –Linked to cancer when mixed with other chemicals –Impairs immune system –Eye and skin irritant –Found to enter brain, heart and liver –DTLG Rating CA (C= Caution is advised A= May cause allergic reaction) –Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) says safe in rinse off products; up to 1% in “leave on” Found in: Shampoos, Conditioners, Soaps, Body Washes, Moisturizers, Toothpastes Labeled as: SDS, SLS, ALS, SODIUM DODECYL SULFATE; MONODODECYL ESTER, SODIUM SALT; MONODODECYL ESTER; MONODODECYL ESTER SODIUM SALT SULFURIC ACID; SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE; SODIUM DODECYL SULPHATE; SULFURIC ACID MONODODECYL ESTER SODIUM SALT

DIETHANOLAMINE (DEA) Ingredient Use: Foaming agent, pH adjuster Potential Health Risk/Safety Issues: –Toxic to immune system –Eye and skin irritant –Respiratory toxicant –DTLG Rating CA (C= Caution is advised A= May cause allergic reaction) –Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) says safe up to 5% in rinse off products Found in: Shampoos, Soaps, Body Washes, Facial Cleansers, Moisturizers, Body Scrubs Acne Treatments, Deodorant Labeled as: COCAMIDE DEA, LAURAMIDE DEA, N,N-DIETHANOLAMINE; 2,2'- DIHYDROXYDIETHYLAMINE; 2,2'-IMINOBISETHANOL; 2,2'-IMINODIETHANOL; ETHANOL, 2,2 IMINOBIS; DEA (EWG) ; 2,2'-DIHYDROXYDIETHYLAMINE; 2,2'-IMINOBISETHANOL; 2,2'- IMINODIETHANOL; 2- (2-HYDROXYETHYLAMINO) ETHANOL; BIS (2-HYDROXYETHYL) AMINE

TALC Ingredient Use: Absorbs moisture Potential Health Risk/Safety Issues: –Skin and respiratory irritant –Potential carcinogen if inhaled –May contain asbestiform fibers –DTLG Rating XA (X= Unsafe or poorly tested A= May cause allergic reaction) –Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) On high priority list to review Found in: Blush, Eye Shadow, Face and Body Powder, Deodorant Labeled as: COSMETIC TALC; FRENCH CHALK; TALC (MG3H2 (SIO3) 4) ; AGALITE; ASBESTINE; B 13; B 13 (MINERAL) ; B 13 (MINERAL) ; B 9; B 9 (TALC) ; BEAVER WHITE 200

1,4-DIOXANE Ingredient Use: Not an actual ingredient but a contaminant in products that create suds, like shampoo, liquid soap and bubble bath. –Potentially from sodium laureth sulfate, PEG compounds and chemicals that include the clauses "xynol," "ceteareth" and "oleth." Potential Health Risk/Safety Issues: –Carcinogen –Kidney toxicant –Neurotoxicant –Respiratory toxicant –DTLG Rating X (X= Unsafe or poorly tested) Found in: 40% of personal care products and cosmetics as a contaminant Labeled as: CONTAMINANT THUS UNLABELED

LEAD Ingredient Use: Not an actual ingredient but a contaminant in raw ingredients. Derivative lead acetate is an ingredient in hair dye. Potential Health Risk/Safety Issues: –Can affect every organ –Cancer –Anemia –Brain Damage –Kidney Damage –Respiratory toxin –DTLG Rating X (X= Unsafe or poorly tested) –FDA approved use of Lead acetate except near eyes Found in: Almost all personal products as a contaminant especially lipsticks Labeled as: CONTAMINANT THUS UNLABELED WITH EXCEPTION OF LEAD ACETATE

There are a lot of potential harmful ingredients but simple steps can help! –Minimize your beauty routine – minimizes exposure –Choose mild soap – will need less moisturizers etc. –Pare down on powders- limit inhalation exposure –Double check “Fragrance Free” - check ingredient list! –Pick your most used product and GREEN IT! e.g. products that penetrate skin and are left on. The Essential Green You by Diedre Imus Don’t Get Overwhelmed!

A Little Effort Will Go A Long Way ! Research safe commercially available products –Read Labels Check Sources Safecosmetics.org Dying To Look Good Best Brands Whole Foods Premium Body Care Quality Standards Make your own products with readily available ingredients –Source recipes on Internet –Find recipes in books

Sisterra Essential Products, Inc. Botanical Blends for Skin and Hair Sisterra creates blends of all natural essential and carrier oils optimized for skin, hair and all over well being

Our Product Attributes All Natural High Quality, Pesticide Free Plant Based Ingredients Non-Toxic No Artificial Fragrance Paraben Free Sulfate Free Gluten Free No Fillers - "Active" Ingredients Only Small Batch Production/Fresh Product Featured as a DYING TO LOOK GOOD BEST BRAND

Essential Oils – Natural, aromatic oils distilled from plants Carrier Oils – Natural Plant oils used to dilute essential oils “ Properly extracted for the highest purity and used knowledgably, essential oils have great therapeutic benefit; used as an ingredient in cosmetic and personal care products most essential oils are safe…” Christine Farlow, Dying to Look Good The Main Components

Sisterra keeps to the philosophy of “Keeping it Simple” We use a minimal number of ingredients in safe concentrations to give you the desired benefit of healthy skin and hair. Our ingredients meet the definition of “all natural” set by: Natural Ingredient Resource Center